Austin Bakes for Japan and an Update

1 April 20113,626 views14 Comments

I’ve missed connecting with everyone through the blog these past two weeks and wanted to share what’s been happening in my world.

Professional:

I have a new full-time gig doing PR and social media for SolarWinds, an IT management software company. I’m “drinking through the fire hose” as they say in corporate America — but loving every minute! Best food-related perk of the new gig? They cater in lunch twice a week from local Austin businesses! If you have any recommendations for local companies that would be interested in catering an upcoming company lunch, send me an email.

Community:

I’m a co-founder and active board member of a newly formed non-profit organization, The Austin Food Blogger Alliance. The main goal of the group is to unite the well over 200 food bloggers in Austin in a formalized way and provide education, social, and philanthropic activities for its members. We also have a code of ethics.

We held our first informational happy hour this week and began accepting membership applications. There were close to one hundred people at the happy hour and the energy was amazing! Feel free to follow us @atxfoodblogs or like us on Facebook to stay up to date on our activities.

I’ve also helped with planning and promotion for Austin Bakes for Japan, a grassroots fundraiser that is bringing together the Austin food community for a bake sale at five locations throughout this city tomorrow (Saturday, April 2) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (or until 5 p.m. at one location). I’ll be making my mom’s chocolate chip banana cake recipe and slices will be for sale at Nomad.

There will be lots of delicious goodies to purchase with 100% of proceeds going to helping make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by the earthquake and nuclear reactor disaster in Japan. Please include a stop at one of the bake sales to your “to do” list — here’s the event information on Facebook. If you can’t make it, you can also donate online.

If the Whole Foods selection committee chooses me as one of the ten finalists, it will be up to the public — you guys — to help send me on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

And even if I don’t win, I had a blast making the video and look forward to sharing it with you all!

As a final note, please please please visit one of the five Austin Bakes for Japan locations tomorrow and pick up some treats. Baked goods make great hostess gifts and you can also bring any extras you don’t eat into the office on Monday. Your boss will love you!